While I’m at it---
It was a horrible no call in the last 0:47 when two Shocker defenders trapped Colt Ryan in backcourt. Not one, but both tied up the ball—which should have been the Shockers on the alternating possession. At that point WSU was only down by one. Even if they don’t get the tie up, Ryan clearly walked as he pulled away from pressure. Well, not clearly I guess…because it wasn’t called.
While the ‘Cats are away---
First off, has someone at West Virginia gotten to head Coach Bob Huggins? I’m not used to seeing him in a sports coat. I mean, so unused to it that it looks weird on him. Kansas State is developing a penchant for the tight game, that’s five times this season that they’ve won by six points or less. After hitting two free throws in the last 0:21 seconds for the lead, the bock that Shane Southwell made at the buzzer was clutch. It’s hard not to foul on a play going to the rim like that; making the block without fouling was impressive. K-State is interesting. They don’t score much, but they really share the ball nicely. Saturday notwithstanding, they don’t shoot very well—but they’re one of the best rebounding teams in the country. They have TCU and Oklahoma this week, two games that they’ll be favored in to go to 15-2.
Halftime wakeup call---
The Jayhawks looked totally disinterested at Texas Tech on Saturday. This is understandable against a team you know you’re better than-- and that if you played a hundred times you’d probably not lose. It’s the type of matchup Bill Self has to dread; an inferior team, with nothing to lose—one that he knows his guys have little respect for. But only up two after a 27 point first half in which they were badly outrebounded—gave Self the teaching moment he needed and the second half was no problem on their way to 13 straight wins.
And then there were four---
Cold weather coming off the bye week is not a good combination for Peyton Manning in the playoffs. I don’t think many would argue his greatness, but his post-season record is suspect. Yes, he has that one Super Bowl, but he’s now tied with Brett Farve for most playoff losses ever with 11, and he’s 0-4 all-time in the post season when the temperature is less than 40 degrees.
Alex who?
If you had any doubts about Jim Harbaugh’s decision to go with Colin Kaepernick over Alex Smith how do you feel now? His performance against Green Bay was one of the best in playoff history, not to mention downright fun to watch.
Falcons trump ‘Hawks---
First, Atlanta chokes a 20-point fourth quarter lead. Then, after falling behind—rallies with two big pass and a 49 yard field goal in the last 0:31 for the win—sure, that’s believable. Another thing, hasn’t the whole ‘icing the kicker’ thing run its course? Seattle calls a last split-second timeout before Matt Bryant pushes the kick wide. Only to nail it in his second chance, it served Seattle coach Pete Carroll right.
Brady…again---
He wins for a record 17th time in the playoffs as he chases his fourth Super Bowl title.
If I had to pick—
New England over San Francisco in New Orleans.
